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For Porsche owners, the Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK) transmission represents a pinnacle of engineering — but its legendary reliability hinges entirely on meticulous maintenance. Whether you buy new or pre-owned, factory service intervals are merely baseline recommendations. If you drive enthusiastically, or frequent the racetrack, fluid changes must happen much more frequently to prevent catastrophic failure.
Tim McNair, Master Detailer, recently appeared on PCA’s Tech Tactics Live. He spent an hour telling members some of his secrets for detailing and products he uses. The products are all attainable by the home detailer. Below are the list and the links. If you are thinking of detailing your Porsche over the winter, this is a must watch video.
Take a look at PCA’s Mart or Facebook Marketplace and you’re bound to find a decent selection of used winter tires. For tires that are used approximately three to four months a year, used winter tires seem like a smart financial decision. If you decide to go that route, just make sure you are buying tires that will last more than a season and keep you as safe as possible. Here are five easy things to check before you hand over cash for a set of used winter tires.
The official first day of Winter is December 21, but for many, once the temperatures drop, thoughts of storage and months without a Porsche are going through their minds. But there’s the other group that simply continues to drive their cars through the freezing temperatures and, yes, even inclement weather. Here are some trips to keep you and your Porsche happy until the first bloom of Springtime comes.
Let’s look back and see what made the 914 so state-of-the-art for its time and why it can still keep up on the highway or on country roads with modern Porsches.
Whether deciding between your prized possession or a daily beater, choosing the right fuel really does matter. Before we get any further, I’m not talking about octane. I’m specifically writing about Top Tier fuel.
I’ve written before about the importance of regularly changing your cabin air filter. This is different than the engine air filter that provides clean air for your engine. The cabin filter provides clean air for the occupants of the car. Every car will differ, but on average, it’s best to change it every 10,000 miles or every two years. When you see how easy and inexpensive it is to change, you may opt to change it annually.
Center locks are arguably the best-looking wheel design. They immediately evoke visions of race cars and quick tire changes during pit stops. Porsche has always wanted to put a little bit of their motorsport department into their street cars. It turns out that wheels are a great place to do this. Let’s take a look at the history of Porsche and center locks wheels.
We’ve all experienced it. Trying to turn the car on only to be confronted with either dead silence when you turn the key, a clicking sound, or the futile sound of the engine slowing trying to turn over. Even after the space age, we still need a 12-volt battery to turn on most of our cars. But before you run out to the local Porsche dealer or auto parts store, here are a few tips to make sure it really is the battery and not the alternator.
Is there anything worse than leisurely driving down the road and hearing a noise that is going to bring your trip to an unexpected stop? It’s bound to happen sometime in your life. Here are some tips to help get you back on the road safely and as quickly as possible.
One of the most popular episodes of Tech Tactics Live was the fuel show where we had guest Lake Speed, Jr., who is President at SPEEDiagnostix and a lubrication specialist, or tribologist. Armed only with a white board and a marker, Lake did a phenomenal job of explaining the chemistry of fuel, which helped dispel some myths as well as answer some questions we’ve all had about gas stations, cheap fuel, and winter blends.
Many members in various parts of North America have either pulled their Porsches out of storage or are preparing to do so. Here are ten things to remember to do when awakening your Porsche out of a long winter hibernation. Once these are done, go out and drive your Porsche!
PCNA Collision Repair Technology Instructor Mike Kukavica takes you through the assembly process and, in particular, what types of fasteners and adhesives are used. The second half of the presentation is how Porsche requires their cars to be properly repaired.
Whenever there’s news of a recall or class action lawsuit involving Porsche, members will contact the PCA National Office to verify their validity. We do our best to keep on top of these announcements through PCA’s e-Brake News, Porsche Club Insider Podcast, and Porsche Panorama magazine. Here are several links to keep bookmarked if you would like to check for outstanding recalls as well as class action lawsuits.
If you live in an area that experiences winter and all its cold, inclement weather-related challenges, here are ten tips to remember this season to maintain your tires in the best shape possible.
The interest in Porsche colors doesn’t seem to be subsiding anytime soon. On social media, there are accounts singularly dedicated to finding new Porsche colors in the wild, and even PCA Social Media Specialist Bogdan Roberson will tell you that a photo or video of a Porsche in a special color is one of the keys to make the post go viral. Today, cars with special colors will command a premium over more pedestrian or sedate colors. This is especially true when when it’s painted in a PTS or PTS+ color.
Porsche’s first dip into the water-cooled world was with the 924 in November of 1975. From the onset, it was meant to be an affordable, entry-level car that would bring Porsche into the modern era. Instead of a rear engine, the engine was now in the front. Porsche would offer the 924 in the US from 1977 to 1982. It would make a reappearance in 1987 with the 924S. That comeback was short-lived as the final year for the 924S would be 1988. Here are our favorite 924s. There may be some you never heard of.
Those cooler mornings mean that temperatures will start to fall, along with tire pressures. This means that you will be riding around with underinflated tires, or your tire pressure monitoring system will let you know that you need to add air. Here are answers to seven tire pressure questions as you’re deciding whether to fill them up for autumn.
A few months back we had Jake Raby and Charles Navarro visit the Porsche Club of America National Office to offer guidance on a major project with a 1999 Porsche 911. For those who do not know these two 996 gurus, Jake owns Flat Six Innovations. He has studied the M96/M97 engines from Porsche and has figured out ways to both improve performance as well as reliability. Charles owns LN Engineering and has developed solutions with Jake to improve the IMS bearing in the M96/M97 engines as well as improve engines that have suffered bore scoring and are able to be rebuilt.
Porsche is celebrating 40 years of the 911 Turbo this year. It was in October of 1974 when Porsche revealed the production version of its newest model. Turbocharging was something exotic and not mass produced. BMW had done it first with the 2002, but then the oil crisis of the ’70s hit and it seemed that high-performance cars were on their way out. However, Porsche needed to produce and sell 400 versions of a turbocharged 911 street car so it could compete in Group 4 Grand Touring.
By all accounts, the 2024 Treffen at Sea-An Alaskan Adventure, was a success. Enticing over 900 club members onto a cruise ship for a week without bringing a single Porsche along for the trip is not easy. However, there were plenty of “Porsche” things to do, including a diecast Concours as well as eight Porsche-related seminars — and one seminar about the engineering that propels the massive cruise ship.
Here are a few things that you can do to maintain your system and, if your system isn’t working or cooling as well as you remember, help determine what the problem may be.
There’s nothing more fun than going on a road trip in your Porsche. Your trip will be more enjoyable if you don’t have any unexpected issues with your car. This can be avoided by having it checked before you leave.
Regular Porsche Club Insider Podcast listeners are familiar with Vu Nguyen’s (PCA Executive Director) tool time portion of the show. Whenever Vu purchases an interesting tool, he likes to share it with our members with a show and tell. The adage “the right tool for the right job” becomes quite apparent if you frequently work on your own cars. A lot of times, it’s worth it to buy a purpose-built tool for a singular purpose simply for the amount of time it can save.
Spring is in full swing in most parts of the country which means convertibles are coming out of their hibernation. Convertible tops require maintenance in order to live a long life. That’s all part of being an owner of a drop-top Porsche. The payoff is that wind-in-your-hair driving experience with all your senses going full-tilt. Taking care of your top is easy. Here are eight basic tips to follow.
With its 3.0-liter, four-cylinder engine and a six-speed-manual transmission (or optional Tiptronic), the 968 was essentially a new car compared to the 924 and 944, yet it showcased the refinement Porsche had achieved over 15 years of those cars' development.
I was a PCA member for less than 24 hours before I was talked into trying out a sport that I had no idea what it entailed. Autocross or Auto-X. Either way you spell it, I can tell you that you’re only going to have loads of fun. More than likely, you purchased a Porsche because of their reputation for handling and performance. Autocross will teach you how superior these cars are when it comes to nimbly navigating cones through a preset course.
Nathan Merz is well known in the Porsche community for his presentations at Tech Tactics events and Porsche Parade, and, to the general public, his YouTube videos. We captured one of his presentations on the best ways to sell your Porsche.
Congratulations, you’ve fulfilled a dream of many automotive enthusiasts and purchased a Porsche! Now, what are you going to do next?
Two of the most popular interiors on late-model Porsches are Alcantara and Race-Tex. If you’re not aware, Alcantara and Race-Tex are both brand names that have become synonymous with the product they sell. Both sell what is known as ultra-suede. It’s a man-made microfiber product that uses polyester and polyurethane. It’s popular because it has the look and feel of suede, which is a material that doesn’t necessarily age very well in automobiles.
Have you ever been driving at night and come upon a car with really bright taillights. They look like the driver is riding their brakes but when you see the actual brake lights come on, you realize that they are just bright taillights. What you’re seeing is rear fog lights, and odds are, if you have a Porsche, you have them as well. Hopefully, you’re using them properly, which means not all the time. Read on to find out some more about an important but rarely and often incorrectly used feature on our cars.
I read once that people who use winter tires are in some sort of cult. They love to tell people how great the tires are and try to recruit users whenever they have a chance. I have to admit that for the longest time I thought all-season tires were good enough.
One of our most asked questions we get at the PCA National Office is whether or not Porsche is going to cease building gas powered Boxsters, Caymans, Macans and 911s. It’s hard to keep track of the news since Porsche has reversed some of their earlier proclamations.
Winter is fast approaching and I’m seeing more and more posts on social media where people are driving their Porsche "one last time" before they store it away until the spring. Here’s a guideline on how to properly store your Porsche for longer than a few weeks.
The 981 generation of the Boxster/Cayman was only made for four years (2013-2016) making it one of the shortest generational runs of these mid-engined wonders. In that time, Porsche did quite a bit with both the Boxster and the Cayman. Read on to find out why this generation is so popular with both owners and those looking to buy one.
When it comes to air-cooled Porsches, the 964 is probably at the top of the list when it comes to supply versus demand. The PCA National Office receives inquiries on a weekly basis from members and Test Drive program participants looking for the 964 generation of the 911. So, what makes them so special and why are so few for sale?
We are less than 30 days away from the event we’ve been waiting for five years to finally happen: Rennsport Reunion 7 at WeatherTech Laguna Seca Raceway. For those unaware, Rennsport is a Porsche love fest that celebrates the people, cars, and moments that made the Porsche brand so iconic. There will be over 350 Porsche race cars and over 1,800 Porsche street cars, all within the racetrack. As a PCA member, you have a place to call home at the Porscheplatz. Here are ten things to remember to do and see while you’re there.
While the Motul Petit Le Mans is the last race on the IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship calendar, it will be the debut for two drivers better known in the open-wheel arena. Most races only require two drivers, but the 10 hours Petit race requires a third driver.
After having a win taken away due to an infraction of the rules at Watkins Glen, Penske Motorsports found itself in the winner’s circle again at the IMSA Road America race this past weekend. Initially, during practice, the team was lacking the pace to be a contender for an overall win but improved as the weekend sessions wore on.
On a recent episode of Tech Tactics Live, we focused on cleaning your Porsche and had Rod Kraft from Griots Garage as our guest. He gave us some tips from his 40 years of detailing.
Most any convertible owner will tell you they’ve used either the heat or air conditioning with the top down at some point. If you’ve owned a convertible, you no doubt are familiar with having warm feet and a cold head.
In most the United States, it is a brutal summer with record high temperatures being set almost every day. If you’re like me and the air-conditioning in your car decided to stop working, here are five common reasons why it may not be working.
First, the good news for Porsche. This past weekend, Porsche swept 1, 2, 3 in the LM GTE Am class at the 6 Hours of Monza. Dempsey-Proton Racing’s #77 took the top spot with Iron Lynx #60 taking second and GR Racing #86 finishing third. Corvette Racing finished third but secured enough points to take the season title.
While much has been written about the 911 Classic Club Coupe since its reveal at Werks Reunion Amelia Island in 2022, it’s worth a revisit to understand what made this project so memorable.
Members of Porsche Club of America are enjoying their annual convention this week in Palm Springs, California. Known as the Porsche Parade, it’s been held every year (except for 2020 due to the pandemic) since 1956. Yes, it really is seven days long. But you can attend as few or as many of the days you like. I suggest signing up for the whole week. Here’s a list of the top ten things you should not miss when attending Parade. Remember, in one year we will be in Birmingham, Alabama for the 68th edition of the Parade on June 11-18th.
The PCA has just auctioned off the 911 Classic Club Coupe which was built by Porsche Sonderwunsch, Porsche Exclusive, and Porsche Classic. But did you know that the PCA also has another project we have been working on called Projekt964 that’s been done internally at the PCA National Office?
One of the latest terms you’ll hear in the EV world is “solid state batteries.” But what are solid state batteries and why has Porsche invested in a company that will provide these batteries? Will they revolutionize the electric car or is it just another technology that’s not ready for mass consumption yet?
With the suspension and wheel changes complete, we returned to TPC Racing to have the ride height adjusted and the car aligned. Standard procedure when installing all-new suspension.
Porsche’s history of using the name Spyder and RS go back to the sixties and, more importantly, evoke images of victory against stronger opponents. With the newest offering from Weissach announced today, it’s time for a quick history lesson of sorts.
Porsche released the livery for the Penske Motorsports 963s for the 100th running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. From afar, it appears to be a rainbow of colors, but a closer inspection reveals there is meaning behind each stripe. Let’s a take a look at which era each stripe represents and the cars that ran during those times.
We take a look at the reasons why Porsche's 963 won at Long Beach and came third at Portimao last weekend.
This coming weekend, Porsche will be racing its 963 prototypes in both North America and Europe. It will be round three of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship at the Acura Long Beach Grand Prix in southern California on April 15, as well as round two of the World Endurance Championship (WEC) at the Six Hours of Portimao in Portugal on April 16.
Porsche’s world debut of the new 2024 Cayenne is on April 18. While we anxiously await the latest generation, Porsche released a sneak peek of the dashboard for us to drool over. Here are five new things that we think are worth mentioning.
Porsche is experiencing growing pains fielding the 963 in the first year of IMSA’s new GTP class and WEC’s Hypercar class. If you’re following the series, you’ll no doubt heard the term BOP or Balance of Performance. A BOP adjustment is given to cars to allow them to be more “equal” in performance to each other, making the racing closer, which in turn makes most fans happier. The foundation or reason for the BOP can arguably traced back to what Porsche did to Can-Am in the early ’70s.
This past weekend, sports car fans got their money’s worth at Super Sebring. What’s Super Sebring? It’s the WEC (World Endurance Championship) and the IMSA (International Motor Sport Association) series each running an endurance race at Sebring International Raceway on the same weekend.
We were fortunate to have special guest Michael Tam, PCNA Product Manager for 911, Boxster and Cayman models, on hand to present the new 911 GT3 RS at Tech Tactics East. He gave us the same presentation that US journalists were going to see a few days later. Here are 15 things we learned.
Between the model-specific corral and judged field at Werks Reunion Amelia Island this year, there was an impressive sampling of almost every model that Porsche has built. I zeroed in on the 356s since I was immediately drawn to the earliest one, a 1953 model. Part of the fun of Werks Reunion is not only looking at the cars but reading the stories provided on the info cards.
Because the Macan is Porsche’s best selling vehicle and because there are only four models to compare, let’s all become experts….or at least brush up enough to sound convincing at the next PCA gathering.
In many ways, the 917 showed the world that Porsche and its engineering prowess could compete with much larger manufacturers that had greater resources. Here’s a list compiled by your author of 10 of the most iconic 917s that raced when giants ruled at Le Mans.
For those new to Porsche who may be interested in starting a collection of Porsche memorabilia, here’s a quick guide on what and how to get hooked.
The racing season officially starts on Saturday, January 28 at 1:40 PM EST. This is when the green flag is scheduled to drop, signaling the beginning of the Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona. More importantly, it also signals the return of Porsche to top tier racing in the reminted GTP class with its 963 LMDh (Le Mans Daytona hybrid). If you’re not lucky enough to be attending the race in person (your author wishes he were there) then here’s a quick guide to both enjoying the race and understanding what’s going on for 24 hours.
On the last episode of Tech Tactics Live, we hosted Mike Maurer, a Porsche dealership salesperson who retired earlier this year. Here’s just a glimpse of what he discussed. Additionally, right below the tips are ten of Mike’s favorite questions from the viewers that he was unable to answer during the live show.
In the past few days, I saw a unique site at gas stations around the county I live in. A line not at the gas pump but rather at the air pump. I thought to myself, “Technology is forcing people to be safer.” Since September 2007, the US government mandated that all passenger cars come equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system. Did your light come on in the past few days?
One thing I’ve noticed is that my speedometer, regardless of which make or model car I’m driving, always shows a faster speed than the Waze app. Now, longtime Porsche owners have always known that Porsche speedometers are a bit generous in their speed readings. But can you trust your navigation instead?
PCA was invited to attend the Winter Pre-Season Testing of the new Porsche 963 LMDh-class race car and 911 GT3R at Daytona International Raceway. For those of you who are, at best, casual followers of Porsche motorsport, here’s a quick rundown on the 963.
1964 was the dawn of the plastic fantastic age of racing Porsches. Here are some of those models, which likely will be entered to race at Rennsport Reunion 7. If we’re lucky, we may even see some of them driving on the roads around Monterey and Carmel since they are street legal.
Much like Porsche’s other model lines, the choice of Taycans is expanding as well. Here’s a quick guide to help you navigate the differences between each model.
While some people were surprised to see Porsche release a 911 made for off-road and street use, the automaker actually gave us a sneak peek of such a vehicle back in 2015.
This is not a definitive article on the generations of 356 production. It’s simply what I use to determine if I’m looking at an A, B, C, or Pre-A 356. Hopefully, this will help you at your local cars and coffee or PCA event. If you love the 356 like I do or simply want to learn even more, I encourage you to also join the 356 Registry at www.356registry.com to find out even more about these wonderful cars. You don’t have to be a member. The 356 is still a car I hope to own someday soon.
So what’s this week’s Tech Tips? Easy. Make a habit of cleaning your radiators even if you do not live in an area where leaves fall in droves.
Every month, from now until Rennsport Reunion in 2023, we’ll cover some of the cars you may see at the seventh running of this iconic event. For those attending in 2023 for the first time, you may feel overwhelmed by the amount of Porsche history in one place and not really appreciate the importance of certain models. Hopefully, this series of articles will help guide you through the paddock.
It’s usually one of the first tools we buy and the one we probably keep the longest aside from a hammer or screwdriver. The often-unloved floor jack. It probably has its own special spot in your garage. It’s probably become part of the scenery. So, while you are fastidious about maintenance on your Porsche, when’s the last time you looked at your floor jack?
You’ve probably seen photos of exotic cars that were damaged by flooding due to hurricanes and storms. While seeing a McLaren P1 in waist-high water is shocking, have you ever wondered what happens to those cars?
It is not uncommon for your tires to wear quicker on one axle than the other. Any 911 owner will tell you that they go through more rear tires than front ones. So, if you find out that you only need two tires, do you have to use the exact same tires or can you switch brands or type of tire?
Every month from now until Rennsport Reunion in 2023, we’ll cover some of the cars you may see at the seventh running of this iconic event. For those attending in 2023 for the first time, you may feel overwhelmed by the amount of Porsche history in one place and not really appreciate the importance of certain models. Hopefully, this series of articles will help guide you through the paddock.
If you own a late-model Porsche or have a new one on order, you have probably seen the driving mode selector on your steering wheel. If your Porsche has the Sport Chrono option, then you can really see how moving the mode selector will transform the personality of your Porsche.
If you own a Cayenne, Macan, Panamera, or Cayman S, plan on stopping by your local dealer for a massive recall. The good news is that this is a simple recall that shouldn’t take much time to correct.
It’s no secret that Porsche is working its way to an electric future. How long that will take is still up for debate, but let’s not fear the future but embrace it. One of the things that I love about electric cars is their ability to capture kinetic energy where older cars could not. In particular, what Porsche has done with braking and the Taycan.
Undoubtedly, the two most iconic shapes that are instantly identifiable with Porsche are the 356 Speedster and the 911. Be it Kelly McGillis driving her Speedster in “Top Gun” or Eddie Murphy driving one in “48 Hours,” Hollywood has chosen the Speedster to be the star car too many times to mention. Here are ten facts you may have not known about the Speedster that will make you love them even more.
The new 911 GT3 RS may be taking center stage when it comes to active aero on a production car, but it's not the only Porsche that actively manipulates airflow.
Here’s a collection of seven, random tech tips, whether you’re a Porsche owner or not.
On Tech Tactics Live, Vu Nguyen hosted Jay Ward, who is a PCA member and the Creative Director of Franchise for Pixar Animation. Jay gave us a behind-the-scenes look into the making of “Cars” as well as how he was attracted to the Porsche marque and automobiles in general. For Porsche and Sally Carrera fans, this was a fulsome hour of insight into the creative process. We were lucky that Jay was chosen to work on the “Cars” franchise since he is a true gearhead and contributed greatly to the success of the movies.
I’m here to tell you about the Porsche 924. Available in the United States from 1977 to 1982, this was the entry-level Porsche and more than a hundred-thousand of them were produced. There were, however, several low-production special edition models that you can buy today for less than $20,000.
Having new tires installed on a Porsche and then going on a drive is always a highlight. Here are some hints to remember especially if that first drive doesn’t feel as earth shattering as you though it might.
If you’re a car person, this week of events should be something you do at least once in your life. Best of all, you’re bound to see a lot of fellow PCA members at the many different events to choose from. Also, this is not a complete list. There are more auctions, memorabilia shows, displays, etc., during the week.
Porsche figured out a long time ago that having an entry level sports car was crucial to its success. The 914 was the result of a handshake agreement between Ferry Porsche and Heinrich Nordhoff (then head of Volkswagen).
If you’ve never heard of a half-cover, here’s your introduction. You should think about one if you have a 986/987/981 Boxster or 996/997 Cabriolet. Even if you garage your Boxster and never drive it in inclement weather, it’s a useful tool to keep your interior cool and protect your very expensive top when you’re out and about.
Think you know a lot about Porsches? Here are just 10 questions from the model-specific groups. If you’re thinking of attending a future Parade, think about signing up for the Quiz. (answers and question references are at the bottom of the article).
While the 911 Classic Club Coupe that the Porsche Club of America had Porsche Classic build for it this year is one of one, the iconic duck tail found on that car originated on the 911 Carrera RS. It was built during a time when Porsche was dominating the prototype world with its 917 and wanted to take on the GT ranks with its 911. Here are 10 facts you may have not known.
The one place you will almost always see a Speedster replica is at a Cars and Coffee type of event. The lack of rules, class, and organization is what allows the owners of replicas come out and show off their pride and joy. But how can you tell if you’re admiring the real deal or a very good replica?
Here are the ten most-viewed tech videos on PCA's YouTube channel that aren't Tech Tactics Live. If you don't see what you're looking for, there are many more tech videos that didn't make this list. Head over to our YouTube channel and take a look.
With the 66th Porsche Parade right around the corner, here’s a guide to help you understand the famous Porsche Parade Concours. Expect to see over 200 spectacularly prepared Porsches on display.
Why does Porsche offer a PDK in a Macan but not in the Cayenne? If the PDK transmission is so superior, why does Porsche still make a Tiptronic?
Access to YouTube is almost a mandatory tool for Porsche do-it-yourselfers. For almost any repair that you can think of, someone has probably made a video about it. The negative to this is that all videos are not created equal. All too often, I’ve discovered that a repair that seems to take 15 minutes on a video can easily become a three-day repair when things don’t go the way the video said they would.
On Episode 5 of Tech Tactics Live!, Vu Nguyen chatted with Josh Poponick of Blackout Empire and Steve Hoffman of 356 Unlimited about what to do and not to do when it comes to washing your Porsche. Since the driving season has begun and warmer weather is here, car washes will become more frequent. Here’s some of what we learned during that episode.
We’ve all experienced it. You pull out of your garage or parking spot and notice the glisten of fluid where you were parked. You first hope is that it’s merely water from the air conditioning but a quick feel of the liquid reveals that it’s not water but rather coolant. How do you know for sure? Well, we know oil is either black or brownish. Transmission fluid is normally red and has a unique smell. Porsche coolant will normally have a pinkish hue and feels oily. So, now that you’ve confirmed its coolant. What to do?
While Porsche was short on details, let me tell you why your 2023 should include a trip to Rennsport Reunion VII, wherever it may be held (dates and location haven’t been announced).
We often speak of changing your engine’s oil on a regular basis, but there are other fluids in your car that are not spoken of nearly as much. Granted, these fluids often call for changes in far longer intervals, but even so, they are often overlooked. When it comes to high-performance cars, you’re paying extra for not only engine performance but braking and handling as well.
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Tech Tactics Live hosted Chris Donaldson of W & W Auto Glass Service in Maryland on a recent episode. The topic was what to look for when having a replacement windshield installed. Here’s a summary of seven interesting things we learned.
Unlike gas stations, which usually differ in pennies between stations in similar locations, an EV charge station can vary quite a bit. There are also three levels of chargers, ranging from at-home options to fast-charging stations.
Autocrossing is a sport that really makes you understand the true performance of your Porsche. Whether you have a Macan or a GT3, autocrossing is something you should try.
Inflation is affecting all of us in many ways, including the almost daily increase in the price of gasoline. As a Porsche owner, we are either forced to leave the gas-consuming German thoroughbreds in the garage or reevaluate how we drive to get a few miles more out of each of a gallon of gas.
With the first day of Spring only two weeks away, many people are preparing to return their Porsches back to the road after a season of being stored away. Don’t wear your Sunday finest, your knees and back will get dirty. The best advice is to get a foam pad to save your knees as well. A pair of rubber gloves and eye protection will also help.
The 996 is the featured model at this year’s Werks Reunion at Amelia Island. People have discovered that the 996 was a modern era Porsche that combined comfort and performance in one amazing package.
Since the beginning, when the first production Porsche was given the name 356, we have come to associate Porsche as the company whose cars are named with three digits. The 356 was named after its internally designated Type number, which also indicated it was the 356th engineering design project by Porsche. In more recent years, Porsche has stopped naming its vehicles after their internally designated Type numbers.
Here’s part one of that evolution and tips on how to recognize various Porsche fuel-delivery systems. It might help you if you’re looking to purchase a vintage Porsche or simply want to impress your friends at the next cars and coffee.
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Just for fun, I like to go to the Porsche configurator and build my “reasonably affordable Porsche dream car.” While my bank balance doesn’t allow a GT3 to be part of this dream, I can still have some of the performance without the pricing. My dream car would only have performance-related options, such as PASM, PDCC, Sport Chrono, and, of course, rear-axle steering.
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We’ve all been there before. You’ve finally found the Porsche you’ve been searching for and you’re ready to make an offer to the seller. Everything has checked out mechanically. It’s easy to overlook a very important item such as keys. Here’s a list of keys you’ll need to remember to ask for. You’ll see it repeated during this article, but test each key to verify they all work.
If you’re not lucky enough to be there in person, here’s a quick guide to watching the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona at home.
Not since the great debate of whether a toilet paper roll should tear off over or under has the next question solicited so much response among my co-workers, family, and friends. If you park outside, do you move your wipers up or leave them down before a snow or ice storm?
Here’s what we learned about dash cams during episode 42 of Tech Tactics Live and what you should look for when purchasing one for yourself.
Although modern 911 Turbos exceed the performance of the 959, its importance, rarity, and presence at any car show are things that Porsche enthusiasts still admire. Here’s a few tidbits you can share with your friends the next time you see one in person.
We compiled some of the topics that were discussed. However, if you watch the video, you’ll see some great examples of a proper install as well as a less-than-perfect one. In addition, there were many questions from viewers that were answered as well.
I was stranded in a German-spec Taycan GTS, on the side of the road, in a desolate area with a flat tire. Without any cell phone service. To make things even more interesting, I had no spare tire or any way to contact roadside assistance.
Choosing the right tire for the season matters — especially during winter.
If you’re new to manual transmissions, then this article is right up your alley. At some point, everyone with a stick shift will have to replace a clutch. Fortunately, regardless of the make of your car, here are some handy clues that will allow you to see, feel, and smell a clutch going bad.
Here are some tips for those who enjoy four seasons and prefer not to expose their Porsches to the winter.
When we peruse The Mart or other classified ads, good item descriptions and photos are crucial. Here are some terms to be wary of when you're reading a classified ad.
One of the most common questions sent to the Technical Director’s mailbox is about the difference between conventional wax and ceramic coatings.
There is a show in Las Vegas that gathers thousands of vendors and buyers of automotive equipment as well as auto industry professionals all in one place. That show is called SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) and, surprisingly for a show in Sin City, it is normally not open to the general public. This year organizers allowed the public to buy tickets for the last day of the show, but if you couldn't make it, here’s what you missed.
For a DIYer (do-it-yourselfer) inspecting brakes is not a complicated task. However, for those who are not mechanically inclined it can be a daunting prospect.
Think you're hearing tire noise? Here's what to check to determine what's causing it.
Every two weeks, Damon Lowney asks me to pick a car in the PCA Mart for the weekly Mart Fresh article. I write a short narrative why I picked that car and what makes it special. While I peruse the online classifieds I am constantly amazed how little effort some people put into selling their car. Either they don’t really want to sell the car or don’t understand how marketing works. Regardless, here’s some tips that will make you stand out from the other ads.
Deep potholes are a common source of cracked and bent rims, but wheels can also crack from fatigue over the years — especially if you track your car. Remember to check them regularly.
Now is the time to start preparing for the winter season. Even if you don’t drive your Porsche in the winter, this Tech Tips still applies to any cars that are used for cold-weather duty. As always, check your manual for more information, and if you’re not ready to try it yourself, go to someone who does this for a living.
As the temps start to go down and you find yourself taking trips with the windows up and air conditioning off, you’re going to hear sounds that may have been masked by wind or fan noise. While some of these noises could be due to worn tires, suspension components, or drivetrain parts that need to be looked at, they could also be wheel bearings about to fail.
It’s happened to all of us at one point in our lives. You get into your car, turn the key, and hear the dreaded “click, click, click” or a slow groan of the starter.
On the surface it may seem like a concours is just a competition to give the cleanest and best-presented cars an award, but the process of cleaning a car for a concours has many other benefits.
Unfortunately, tires can wear and age out. Learn what to look for to determine your tires' age and to know when they should be replaced.
We last reviewed Porsche abbreviations in May. This week we cover 12 more. Hopefully this will help you better understand tech articles, classified ads, as well as any tech discussions at your local Region’s tech sessions.
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Checking oil is necessary and easy, but be sure to read the manual for the right process for your Porsche.
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Don't forget to replace your cabin air filter at regular intervals.
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If you're garage isn't super tall, here's a way to maximize head space if you're going to install a lift.
Why Top Tier-rated gasoline is better than the other stuff.
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If you decide to rent a U-Haul Auto Transport trailer, here are some things to keep in mind.
While battery technology is advancing at a record rate, most cars still rely on a traditional lead acid battery. These batteries, when they get old or not maintained properly, can leave you stranded with little notice. Normally, this requires a bulky charger, a set of jumper cables or a hot shot battery. These are all heavy and not very compact. Enter the lithium-ion Jump Starter. If you haven’t heard or seen these, you need Google “Lithium-ion jump starter” and buy one for yourself. For something that can easily fit into your glovebox, it will be the lifesaver you never knew you needed.
We show you what all the buttons do on Porsche's Sport Seats Plus.
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Porsche is testing an app that generates adaptive, non-linear music based on your driving style.
Every 17 years, Brood X cicadas swarm the East Coast, splattering on cars' paint and windshields. Be sure to clean their guts off your car!
Porsche Classic is now offering a limited run of all six 'Porsche Originale' catalogs, a must-have for anyone who owns a classic Porsche.
If you haven't watched the Tech Tactics Live with pro detailer Tim McNair, here's a short list of essential products to detail your Porsche.
A simple mistake of swapping certain numbers with letters can cause a big headache.
87, 89, 91, or 93 octane gasoline — it does matter what you put in your Porsche.
It's hard enough to keep track of all the systems in modern Porsches — especially when they each have their own abbreviation.
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Tips on positioning your seat and steering wheel.
Colored dots on your new tires are remnants of a past era.
Here's what to do when the inside of your windshield gets dirty or hazy.
Here’s an easy tech tip that anyone can do: check and maintain tire pressures. Make it part of a monthly ritual if you can.
